Hungarian MOL wants to buy the “Lukoil-Neftochim“ refinery. This was stated by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, BGNES reported.
The news was announced personally by the Hungarian Prime Minister, a day after his visit to Bulgaria, where he had meetings with President Rumen Radev and the leader of the largest parliamentary party GERB-SDS Boyko Borisov.
MOL is the only candidate from the European Union. During the talks in Bulgaria, the topic of the sale of “Lukoil-Neftochim“ was absent.
Analysts warn that Russian financing may be attracted, as MOL's financial capabilities are limited, reports Oilprice. Orban's involvement should raise concerns among European authorities, who could consider blocking the deal if Russian connections are proven. Hungarian ownership of “Lukoil“ assets could further strengthen Moscow's influence in the Balkans, Oilprice emphasizes.
In early November, citing the “Financial Times“, a Qatari-British consortium also expressed interest in the largest refinery in the Balkans, BGNES recalls. These are Oryx Global, controlled by Qatari businessman Ghanim Bin Saad Al Saad, and the London-based raw materials trading house DL Hudson. Both companies declined to comment at the time. The British publication wrote that they were the favorite and preferred candidate of “Lukoil“. The Russian oil giant denied at the time that it was selling its refinery.